[PapaBear3625]

Was the implication that 30% of kids are fathered by someone other than the assumed father? Skewed data source.

Yes, those numbers came from testing done where the "official" father suspected something.

For cases not involving father suspicion, it varies, depending on country, race, and socio-economic status.

One study, "Measuring paternal discrepancy and its public health consequences", looked at various other studies. For non-disputed paternity (ie, the testing was not done because the father suspected anything), USA results were

Michigan white sample: 1.4%

Michigan black sample: 10.1%

California white sample: 2.7%

Hawaiian families: 2.3%

[allmendream]

Very interesting.

I had heard from geneticists, who have the unenviable task of reconciling reported heredity with ACTUAL heredity - that the rate was about 10%.

That always seemed high to me.

While the 30% rate is obviously way too high - because of self selection bias; most men do not test paternity unless they suspect something - and in 70% of cases their fears are unwarranted.

[BwanaNdege]

Wow, what a comprehensive reply!

Thanks, that confirms my suspicions.

(About the data, not my kids. All four are definitely mine. No possibilities otherwise, no worries.)